Watertight cabinet joint



Mam w49. J, STANWZ WATER TIGHT CABINET JOINT 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 1', 1945 ill A rwentor Tizi y J. STANITZ WATER TIGHT CABINET JOINT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 :Snnentor JayleS/SZalzlz IT'T',

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Filed Feb. 1, 1945 Mmc 3949. J, STAM-TZ ZAGLAG WATER TIGHT CABINET JOINT Filed Fab. l, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Suventor JaWesIYla/ziiz a VW my ,zzN N Patented Mar. 8, 1949 WATERTIGHT CABINET JOINT Jacques Stanitz, Warren, Ohio, assignor to Mullins Manufacturing Corporation, Salem, Ohio, a corporation of New York Application February 1, 1945, Serial No. 575,645

2 Claims.

1 The invention relates to the construction of a joint between ,a kitchen sink and an adjacent v cabinet top, or between two adjacent cabinet tops; and more particularly to a sealed, rigid, locked, water-tight, crack-proof joint construction.

Present day kitchens are equipped, in addition toa sink and a cabinet beneath the sink, with work tables, counters or platforms extending from one or both sides of the sink, usually formed as the top of an adjacent base cabinet, to provide a continuous working surface adjacent the sink.

Y Frequently, it is desired to add one or more base cabinets after an initial sink installation or aninitial sink and cabinet installation has been made.

Considerable diiculty. hasbeen experienced in forming a satisfactory joint between adjacent sink and cabinet units.

, fillers, trim members and cementing have been used, but invariably the joints f-ormed thereby from each other. Thus, water may nd its way into the joint between end wall panels of adjoin-` ing metal cabinets, causing an unsanitary condition. failure of paint, and rusting through of the steel. Capillary attraction of water in the space between two metal sheets does not permitV the water to run out or to dry up and acts as an accelerated, localized, water emersion test.

Prior art constructions have provided ller, finishing members, cemented between a sink and an adjacent cabinet top; but the joint formed thereby is not rigid nor aligned, and if the sink or cabinet is severely jarred, the joint may crack or break open, permitting water leakage therethrough.

Other prior art constructions have provided a rubber gasket between a sink and an adjacent cabinet top, normally held compressed by spaced vbolts connected through the abutted sheet metal side walls of the adjacent cabinets therebelow. However, if the sink or cabinet in such a con'- struction is severely jarred, the bolted cabinet side walls may spring, warp or flex in the intervals between bolts, or above and below the bolts, therebyI separating the joint and the seal intended to be provided by the gasket, and permitting water to leak therethrough.

In other words, all prior art joint constructions Many kinds of gaskets',

- invention. to provide a joint construction for kitchen sinks and cabinets in which the sink top, the adjoining cabinet, and its top are rigidly locked or tied together to prevent breaking the joint therebetweeii and thereby losing a desired and necessary water-proof characteristic.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a joint construction between a sink and an adjacent cabinet top in which the sink and adjacent cabinet top cannot be moved in relation to each other so that the joint cannot be pulled apart to result in cracks andleakage. Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water-tight, crack-proof joint construction between a kitchen sink andthe top of an adjacent cabinet in which the sink and top are aligned and held in alignment in forming the Vcrack open, or the members thereof pull away joint. i

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water-tight, crack-proof joint between a sink and the top of an adjacent cabinet, or between tops of adjacent cabinets,A which may be readily formed in installing additionalv cabinet units to original sink or sink and cabinet installations.

Likewise, it is an object of the present invention, to provide a new, water-tight, crack-proof joint construction which may be readily and inexpensively formed in connection with standard types of vitreous enameled, sheet metal sinks and sheet metal kitchen basecabinets.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new joint construction for a kitchen sink and an adjacent table or counter which avoids the prior art difiiculties, satisfactorily solves the problem existing in the art, and in corporates the foregoing advantages in a simple and effective manner, l

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims may be obtained, the stated results achieved, and the described diiiculties overcome, by the devices, constructions, arrangements,` combinations, sub-combinations, parts and elements which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the followinggeneral statement, preferred embodiments of whichillustrative of the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying vthe principle-are set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improvements in watertight, crack-proof joint construction may be stated in general terms as preferably includingl in combination with a sink having a depending ange terminating in an inturned flange and a sheet metal counter top extension for the sink extending longitudinally of the joint and trans-L verse to' and substantially normal to the planes or said depending ilanges, 'means connecting said strip means to said inturned flanges, trim meanshaving a portion extending between said depending anges and connected with said strip means, Joint waterproof-ling means between the trim means and depending flanges, a sheet metal cabinet panel end wall having an inturned top ange, and means locating the sealer strip means with respect to said top flange.-

By way of example, preferred'embodiments of the improved joint construction are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof wherein;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sink and cabinet unit, and an adjacentbase cabinet unit, provided with the improved water-tight, crackproof joint between sink and cabinet top;

Fig. 2 is a section Vtaken as on thel line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is anexpanded view similar to Fig. 2 of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 2 prior to assembly; I

Fig. 4 is an expanded view similar to Figs. 2

I Y and 3, showing some of the parts in the course of assembly;

Fig. 5 is an expanded perspective View of a portion of the base cabinet panel front, end and side walls and joint locking or sealer strip used in the joint illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4;

Fig. 6-is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modied form of construction;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the trim member used in the construction shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 6 of another modiiled' form of construction;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9, Fig.. 8; Y

Fig. 10 is a view similar vto Figs. 2, 6, and 8, showing a still further modified form of construction; i

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig, 2, illustrating an improved joint construction between adjacent base cabinets taken as on the line -II-V-I I, Fig; 12; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective View similar to Fig.1 of two adjacent base cabinetsiequipped with the improved joint construction. l

Similar numerals refer to` similar parts throughout the various iigures of the drawings.

A sink and under sink cabinet unit is indicated generally at iin Fig. 1, and an adjacent base cabinet unit is indicated at 2. Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the sink unit I includes a vitreous enameled sink 3 which, as illustrated, may be formed of sheet metal with a vitreous enamel coating. The under sink cabinet for the sink unit I includes sheet metal walls, one vertical Y sink 'supporting side or end panel wall being The front of cabinet 2Y may be closed by a door or drawer ends. Drawers 9 are indicated in Fig. ,1.

The base cabinet panel side walls 8 preferably terminate in an inturned top flange I'Il. The

5 top II .of the base cabinet unit'2 forms a'work' I2. A channel'shape noslng and trim strip I6 sometimes formed of stainless steel may be provided embracing the sheet metal top wall I2, and 0 anges I3 and I'll, and the member I6 binds the edge of the softer surface material I5. Adhesive cement is spread between the trim memberl I 6 and the walls I2, I3 and Id and the covering I5 of the top member II'. Bolt holes I1 are g5 formed in the cabinet top ange I9, and bolt holes I'8 are formed in the top nange I4 and trim strip I6. The. bolt holes I1 and I8 are aligned and the cabinet top- I I' is normally secured to the cabinet panel walls 8 by bolts extending through said holes I1 andl8, with a panel side wall 8 extending below and substantially in the plane of a depending table top side iiange I3, as shown inthe drawings. l

. Thus far, -the sink and cabinet units I and 2 described are of known construction. -The prior practice has been to bolt the sink cabinet panel wall 4 to the base cabinet panel wall 8 when installing a base cabinet unit 2 adjacent sink unit I; and to provide a gasket or adhesive 40 cement between trim member I6 and sink flange 6 in order to form a water-proof joint. However, if the cabinet is jarred, the thin sheet -metal .panel walls 4 and 8 may spring,. ilex or Warp, permitting the cabinet top II' to move relative to the sink 3 and the joint therebetween to crack open. The present invention lis particularly concerned with forming a water-tight, crack-proof joint between the cabinet topvII and sink 3.

In, accordance with the present linvention, a joint sealing and locking strip or bar I9 (Fig. 5) is provided, extending longitudinally of the joint and transverse to and substantially normal to the depending -anges 8 and I3. The strip I9 is formed with bolt holes 20 adapted to register with the bolt holes l1 and I8 in the panel top flange I'Il andthe cabinet top ange I4. The sealer strip I9 has a'longitudinally extending angled portion 2|, hooked over at 22, so as to embrace and grip the inner edge of .sink flange` 1 continuously throughout its length. Downwardly projecting pins 23 are secured to the locking strip I9 `near either end thereof; and holes 24 are formed in the top flange II)y of the end panel 8 of i the ba'se cabinet. The location. of the holes 2l matches the location of pins 23 so that when pins 23 are inserted in holes 24, the bolt holes 29 of locking strip I9 are aligned with bolt holes'` I1 in cabinet top ange I0.

In forming the improved joint, the cabinet top II is removedfrom the. cabinet unit 2, asindicated in Fig. 3. The hooked portion 22 oi locking strip I9 is hooked over sink flange 1 as indicated in Fig. 4; and the cabinet-end panel 8 is moved overv and located adjacent oragainst the end panel 4 of the cabinet of sink unit I. Pins `23 metal top wall I2 having an imperforate dependber sheet material I5, or the like, glued, cemented or otherwise secured to the sheet metal top wall are inserted in holes 24 putty, mastic, cement, or caulking compound 25 is then smeared on the edge of the downturned sink rim flange 6 and the locking strip I9, as indicated in Fig. 4. The cabinet top II is then forced into place and bolts 2B are inserted through aligned bolt holes I1, I8 and 20 for securely and rigidly connecting the sink 3 through the locking strip'IS to the cabinet top I I, cabinet end panel 8 and cabinet trim I6 as shown in Fig. 2, the sink side flange 6 thus being located adjacent the table top side flange I3.

In bolting the joint, the adhesive cement 25 is squeezed tightly into all crevices between porltions of the abutted sink flange 6, trim member I6 and locking strip I9, as indicated in Fig. 2; and surplus cement may be struck oif at 21 to leave -a slightly depressed joint between the sinkA 3 and cabinet top I I.

Since the sink 3 and cabinet top I I are anchored rigidly along the entire length of the abutted portions thereof vby the locking strip I9, they cannot be moved relative to one another. Thus, the joint between the sink unit I and base cabinet 2 cannot be pulled apart to cause the cement 25 to crack or to cause leakage of water along the joint or down between the panel `walls 4 and 8.

The adjusting screw 28, indicatedV in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is for leveling the sink when initially ln stalling the sink, or for separating the sink 3 and sink panel/4 in order to lock the sealing strip I9 to the sink flange 1.

In the alternate form of construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the trim member IBa may be formed as an extruded metal section to have a generally T-shaped ange means or portion '29 at the top of its vertical web portion sc as to overlap both the sink 3 and the linoleum facing I5 of the cabinet top I I and to cover the joint therebetween. Thus,

the head 29 of the trim member I 6a binds the edge of the linoleum facing I and also confines the adhesive cement so as to eliminate any exposed cement material which is present at 21 in the joint illustrated in Fig. 2.

The longitudinally extending bottom ange 30 of the trim member IEa is provided withl holes l3l which are aligned with holes I8 in'the cabinet top I I. The joint illustrated in Fig. 6 is assembled in the same manner as described in connection with the joint illustrated in Fig. 2 with the web Vof the trim member IBa located between theadjacent side iianges 6 and I3, respectively, of the `sink and table top and extending longitudinally of the joint, and with the flange 30 located between the table top flange I4 and basecabinet top ange I0. The trim member IBa and its T,shaped flange means 29, as shown in Fig. '7, may be shaped at its front end 32 to conform to the front edge of the cabinet top II, and may be shaped at its rear end 33 to conform inlongitudinal contour to the cove and shallow upstanding splash back at the rear of the cabinet top II and sink 3. As shown in the drawings, the cove and splash back at the rear of the cabinet top I I and sink 3 present at the tops of their respective adjacent depending side flanges I3 and `6, a matching contour lying in a plurality of planes at right angles to said side flanges I3 and 6.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the locking strip rand trim member are combined in one piece as an extruded section generally indicated in Fig. 8 at I9a. 'The member I9a includes a T-shaped ange means or portion 29a at the top of its vertical web portion 34 which laps the sink 3 andbinds the linoleum I5 of the cabinet top II and covers the joint therebetween. A central web 34 extends downward longitudinally of the joint between the sink'flange 6 and cabinet top flange I3. The bottom of member I9a is shaped generally to conform to the construction of the locking strip I9 and has a therebetween.

llower flange 4I similarin construction and funclongitudinally extending ange portion 35 located between the table top flange I4 and base cabinet top ange I0 and provided with bolt holes 36 matching the bolt holes I1 and I8. The other ange at the botttom of member I9a has a portion 3Ia hooked at 22a to grip the sink ange 1. P ins23a are provided in portion 35 which function in assembling the joint (Fig. 9) in the same manner as the pins 23 of thelocking strip I9.

As stated, the member I9a combines the function of the locking strip and trim and binding members in one piece for joining and locking a sink top to a cabinet top. Sealing compound 25 i s applied to the various surfaces to-be joined before assembly, and the joint shown in Fig. 8 is assembled in the same manner as described in connection with the joint illustrated in Fig. 2.

In the modiiied form of construction shown in Fig, 10, a combined locking strip and trim member lab, simil-a1` to the member I 9a of Fig. 8, is used without requiring an extruded section. The trim member ISb includes two steel channel members of modified form 31 and 38, welded at 39 back to back, with a stainless steel trim strip dil-enclosinng the top of the T formed by the top flanges of the channels 31- and 38. The back to back welded channel members form a vertical webv located between the adjacent side anges 6 and i3, respectively, of the sink andtable top and extends longitudinally ot the joint formed The channel member 31 has a tion to the left-hand portion of locking strip I9; and the channel member 38 has a lower ange shaped with an angled portion 2lb and a hook portion 22h similar in construction and function to the portions 2l and 22 of the locking strip I 9.

The joint illustrated in Fig. 10 is assembled inthe same manner as the joint of Fig. 8.

A joint, in accordance with the present invenv tion, is illustrated in Fig. 11 between two adjacent base cabi-net units 2 as shown in Fig. 12. In the joint of Fig. 11, a combined locking strip and trim member Ib is formed as an extruded section having bottom flanges 30a in both directions similar to the bottom flange 38 of the member ISa.

yThe member IBb is assembled with the cabinet panel walls 8 and the cabinet tops II in the same manner as described in connection with the assembly of the joints illustrated in Figs. 2, 6, 8 and 10. Locating pins (not shown) similar to the pins 23 or r23a are' provided'on one or both of the flanges 30a to accurately locate and align the .various members for being bolted in assembled relationship. If desired, the member IGb, instead of being an extruded section las illustrated, may be formed of steel channel members and a stain- ,less steel trim member in the same manner that the member I9b of Fig. 10 is formed.

Accordingly, in each of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated, there is a trim memtops joined thereby. There is also means con'- necting a portion of the sealing strip to the inturned ange of the cabinet top. There is also the sink, or between the tops of adjacent cabi-` nets, which joint is securely held and anchored throughout its length so that the members joined cannot move relative to one" another, thus providing ,a crack-proof 'and water-tight joint construction which avoids the described dimculties heretofore present in prior art constructions.

Finally, in the foregoing description, certain terms have been used forbrevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the require ments of the prior art, because such words are utilized for descriptive purposes herein and not for the purpose of limitation, and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments -of the improved joints illustrated and de,- scribed are by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction of the various parts.

Having now described the features of the invention, the manufacture and assembly of presheet metal sink having a top and an imperforate depending vertical side rim flange terminating in an inturned flange, an undersink cabinet having avertical sink supporting sheet metal panel side wall extending below and substantially in the plane of said depending'sink side ange, atabletop including an upper sheet metal wall having an upper surface facing of softer material, said upper table top wall being formed with a depending vertical side flange terminating in an inturned flange, a base cabinet having a vertical table top supporting sheet metal panel side wall extending below and substantially in the plane of said depending table top side'ange terminating in an inturned top flange, said undersink and 4base cabinet side walls being located adjacent each other, said depending sink and table top side flanges being located adjacent each other; the rear of the sink and table tops each being formed with a cove and an upstanding splash back presenting at the tops of their adjacent depending side flanges a matching contour lying in a plurality of planes at right angles to said adjacent side flanges; combinedv metal sink and table top joint trim and locking strip means; said strip means including a vertical web portion located between said adjacent side flanges and extending longitudinally of. the joint formed therebetween;

a longitudinally extending flange at the bottoni of the web portion located between thetable top lnturned flange and the base cabinet lnturned top flange; means connecting the sink, table top, undersink cabinet, base cabinet and strip means together in rigid anchored joint forming relation; and Tl-flange means at the topof the strip means web portion shaped to conform in longitudinal,

contour to said matching sink'and table top contour and covering the joint between the sink and table top along said matching contour.

2. In combination, a. vitreousl enamel coated sheet metal sink having a top and an imperforate depending verticalside rim flange terminating in an lnturned ange, an undersink cabinet having a vertical sink supporting sheet metal panel side wall extending below and substantially ln the plane of .said depending sink side flange, a table top including an upper sheet metal wall having an upper surface facing of softer material, said I upper table top wall being formed with a depending vertical side flangeterminating in an intumed flange, a base cabinet having a vertical y table top supporting sheet metal pane1 side wall deach other, said depending sink and table top side flanges being located adjacent each other; the rear of the sink and table top each being formed with a cove and an upstanding splash back presenting at the tops of their adjacent depending side flanges a matching contour lying in a plurallty of planes at right angles to said adjacent side flanges; combined sheet metal sink and table top joint trim and locking strip means; said strip means comprising two channel members welded back to back and a trim strip; said back to back welded channel members forming'a vertical web located between said adjacent side flanges and extending longitudinally of the joint formed therebetween; one of the lower channel flanges atthe bottom of the web extending longitudinally of and being located between the table top inturned flange and the base cabinet lnturned top ange; the channel top ang'es forming T-ange means at the top of the`web; said trim strip enclosing the top of the T-il-ange means; said T-fiange means being shaped to v,conform in longitudinal contour to said matching sink and table top contour and covering the joint between the sink and table top along said matching contour; and means connecting the sink, table top,

undersink cabinet, base cabinet and strip means together in rigid anchored joint forming-relation. 7

. JACQUES s'I'ANrrz.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the y le ofjthis patent: y

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Rosenberg Aug. 24, 1943 

